05-Oct-2007 -- Travelling in the region of Primavera do Leste, MT, I decided visit the confluences 14S - 54W, 16S - 54W and 16S - 53W, all near this city. Due to the absence of good roads in the region, I calculated that it would be necessary one day to visit each confluence.

On October, 5th, early in the morning, I left the city of Paranatinga, towards Indian reservation Marechal Rondon, of Xavante Indians, 31 miles to the north, where the confluence 14S - 54W is located. The dirt road which serves the farms of the region, is in good conditions until the Indians land. At the entrance of the reserve there are an old sign from the Ministry of Justice stating that it is an indian area and access is prohibited to outsiders. According to information received in the city, nowadays, there are no more restrictions for visiting the reservation.

The roads within the reservation are very poor, with passages impassable in the rainy season. Fortunately, with beginning of rains, I had no difficulty in crossing the dried rivers.

After 6 miles inside the reserve and less than 4.9 miles from the confluence, I arrived at a village, where I was received by the cacique Dirceu (village chief). The village, called Arimatéa, has about 20 houses, a school, a clinic and 130 inhabitants. It has no electricity and water is obtained through a system of artesian well, running with solar energy. All of the reserve forest was burned. I asked the reasons for the burning. They reported that they put fire in the bush to hunt. The reserve has about 50,000 ha and 9 villages.

After explaining the reason for my visit, I drove toward the confluence, accompanied by the Indian Isac. Luckily, there was a trail toward the confluence. After 5 miles, we approached 2,600 feet, to the CP. I thought that is more prudent to make the rest of the journey on foot, because the wood was burned and there were many stumps that could damage the tires of the car. Walking through the burnt wood was barely easy. We arrived the confluence at 11:50 AM, took the photos and return to the village, where I gave breads and candies to the children.

I spent the rest of the day traveling to Poxoréu city, near the confluence 16S - 54W, which would be visited on the following day.